Karim Rashid presents Dubai student design awards

New York-based Rashid, who has had more than 2,000 designs put into production, presented the first prize of US$2,500 in the Association of Professional Interior Designers (APID) competition to Sophie Akhvlediani, of the American University of Dubai (AUD).

Sophie, from Tblisi, Georgia, designed items that could be mass produced for use in three to five star hotels. The judging panel, which included APID's Ken Laidler, Chris Lee of InterContinental Hotels, and Guy Roukaerts, editor of Gulf Interiors, chose the winning entry on the basis of innovation, practicality, adherence to the brief, economic viability and presentation.

"I taught for 10 years so I know what this means to students. A lot of hard work has gone into this," said Rashid, a former associate Professor of Industrial Design.

In second place, with a prize of US$1,500 and also of AUD was Sahar Motahari,. In joint third place, with prizes of US$500 each, were Certificate of Merit winners Aliya Al Saabri, of the American University of Shajah, and Neelanchana Sobhakumar, of Manipal University.

Maggie Moore, Project Director for The Hotel Show, said: "Karim Rashid is an internationally acclaimed designer and an inspiration to design students the world over. He currently has 85 projects underway in 30 countries and is in demand around the world. We're delighted he could spend time giving advice and encouragement to our winners at The Hotel Show."

The APID Annual Furniture Design Competition for Students 2006 was sponsored by Intercontinental Hotels, Fluid Production and The Hotel Show.